BOSTON -- In discussions with Partners Healthcare officials, Attorney General Martha Coakley is seeking out her role in regulating the health care industry as the health care giant seeks to acquire South Shore Hospital.

The Health Policy Commission determined Partners’ acquisition of South Shore Hospital and Harbor Medical Associates would result in significant increases in medical spending, drive up premiums and give Partners even more market share in the South Shore area.

After reviewing the transaction, the commission referred its conclusions to Coakley’s office.

Asked Tuesday if her goal was to stop Partners from acquiring South Shore Hospital and Harbor Medical, Coakley said she has broad-based goals.

“Our goal in general is to look at what our reports have pointed out in terms of the market dysfunction, look particularly at what the findings of the Health Policy Commission have been, and see what it is going forward that our role would be in making sure those are implemented. Our main concern is making sure we cut the cost-curve out of health care, we continue good access and quality,” said Coakley, noting transparency in the health sector is another goal.

Right after referring its report to Coakley’s office, HPC Chairman Stuart Altman told reporters the AG could block the acquisition and state and federal regulators could use anti-trust law against Partners, which claims the mantle of the state’s largest employer.

"Don't rule out the Justice Department. This is also a federal anti-trust law. So there's a state anti-trust law, and then there's a federal anti-trust law," Altman said at the February meeting.

Last week, Coakley and Partners agreed to extend a 30-day window that followed the HPC’s decision. Partners agreed not to close on either deal during that period.

“We continue to engage them, and they with us, on some of the issues they’re interested in and what they want to do. I mean there’s a broad range of topics that we talk about with them a lot. But this particular issue is one that’s under discussion right now, so I can’t really comment further,” Coakley told the News Service.

The governmental involvement in the proposed acquisition of the two South Shore entities is a major test of the 2012 health reform law. The deal is the first one that HPC, which was created and empowered by the law, has referred to the attorney general.